Jim Renwick

Jim Renwick (born 12 February 1952) is a former Scotland international rugby union player. He played at Centre.

Rugby Union career

Amateur career

He played for Hawick Harlequins and then moved to play for Hawick.

He played for Scotland Probables in 1975.

International career

He was capped by Scotland 'B' against France 'B' in 1971.

He earned 52 full senior caps for Scotland. and that

"Indeed, he was often at his most dangerous collecting bad ball, when his ability to accelerate from a standing start, jinking and weaving and ducking under tackles, enabled him to split defences whose wit was not as sharp as his. Renwick was also a fine and consistent place-kicker – although rarely used at international level – a good, if one-footed, kicker from hand, and an excellent drop-kicker (he scored drop-goals against both and in season 1981–82). Despite all this, his game was characterized by a willingness always to run the ball."

Richard Bath writes of him: "The bald pate of Hawick's Jim Renwick was one of the most familiar sights of the 1970s. Although the Borderer's lack of hair made him look a deal older, and at times he was overshadowed by the genius of John Rutherford, Renwick was no journeyman. Staunch in defence, it was in attack where he was at his most effective. A short man, he had the ability to wriggle through tackles and to consistently break the gain line. Renwick announced his presence on the international stage with a try on his debut against France".

Renwick was known for his unconventional appearance and playing style. Later in his career, he was bald, moustached, and slightly rotund, and was noted for running with his head nodding while using evasive movements to create space. He was primarily a right-footed kicker, had a comparatively weak left foot, and preferred to run with the ball.

He was dropped on the Lions tour, in favour of an English player.

Allan Massie thought his handling and evasion skills were marvellous: "He had marvellous adhesive hands, and perhaps the quickest wit of any midfield player of recent years. Indeed he was often at his most dangerous when on the receiving end of a bad pass, for then his ability to dodge and accelerate abruptly from a standing start enabled him to split many defences. To see him run out of defence, jinking and swerving, the ball unusually high under his arm, was always exhilarating. He was very hard to put down, being powerful in the hips, and quick to slide under the high tackles with a shrug of his shoulders. Eels might envy his elusiveness."

Renwick retired at the beginning of the 1984 season, just before Scotland claimed its first grand slam since 1925.

Family

He has 8 children, and is divorced to Shelagh (Duncan) and now in a long term relationship with Jane Gilligan.And also has 8 grandchildren.